The number portability (NP) implementation date remains the same, but the FCC reported last week that its February order extending the date incorrectly indicated the same date by which wireless carriers must submit requests for NP deployment to other carriers.

Commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) providers must submit NP requests to other providers by Feb. 24, 2002, and must support NP switches in the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas by Nov. 24, 2002 (MPN, Feb. 15).

Industry sources described the correction as a report they expected, but not one that affects their NP implementation strategiesThe FCC on Feb. 8 agreed to a Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association request for the extended deadline, noting that “uniquetechnical issues” would have made implementation of local number portability in the top 100 metropolitan areas by March 31, 2000 (MPN, Sept. 7, 1998), supported by nationwide roaming, a nightmare for wireless carriers.